“Do You Want to Be Healed?”

Scripture Focus
 
John 5:6 – “When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, ‘Do you wish to get well?’” (NASB 1995)
 
 
 
Sermon Reflection
 
The man at Bethesda had been paralyzed for 38 years, sitting in a place called the House of Mercy, yet still broken. Jesus asked him a question that cut through excuses, tradition, and misplaced trust: “Do you want to be healed?”
 
This story reminds us that healing in Christ begins with desire, not just need. It is not enough to sit near the place of mercy; we must look to the Person of Mercy, Jesus Himself. Many of us are guilty of lying on our “mats” of fear, anger, sin, or disappointment. We can get so used to our dysfunction that it feels normal. But Jesus steps into our brokenness, fully knowing our history, and calls us to desire healing, not remain stuck.
 
 
 
How I Should Respond
I should examine the “mats” I’ve been lying on those areas where I’ve accepted dysfunction as permanent.
I must stop making excuses and stop placing trust in pools, programs, or people more than in Christ.
I need to honestly answer Jesus’ question: “Do you want to be healed?” by surrendering the hidden sins, hurts, and habits I’ve held onto.
Healing begins when I stop delaying faith and start trusting the Healer.
 
 
 
Weekly Prayer
 
“Lord Jesus, You see me fully. You know the areas where I’ve been stuck far too long. Today, I confess that I’ve leaned on excuses and misplaced trust. I want to be healed. Help me to rise from my mat of sin, fear, or disappointment and trust You as the true Bethesda, the fountain of mercy. Teach me to look beyond the sign of blessings and miracles and keep my eyes on You, the Savior. Amen.”
 
 
 
Application for the Week
 
Day 1 – Identify Your Mat
Read John 5:1–7. Write down the specific “mat” (anger, fear, bitterness, addiction, pride, etc.) that has kept you paralyzed. Pray for God to reveal it clearly.
 
Day 2 – Confront Excuses
Read Proverbs 28:13. Ask yourself: What excuses have I made to avoid surrender? Write them down, then confess them to God in prayer.
 
Day 3 – Redirect Your Trust
Read Psalm 20:7. Reflect on where you’ve placed more confidence in people, systems, or habits than in Christ. Replace that misplaced trust with faith in Jesus.
 
Day 4 – Believe Beyond Disappointment
Read Isaiah 43:18–19. Let go of past disappointments and ask God to give you fresh faith to believe in His present power to heal.
 
Day 5 – Answer the Question
Read John 5:8. Take time in prayer to answer Jesus honestly: “Do you want to be healed?” Commit your answer to Him and step forward in obedience.
 
 
 
Final Thought
 
Jesus is still asking the same question today: “Do you want to be healed?” Healing is not about the pool you sit by, but the Savior you surrender to. Don’t settle for lying on your mat another day. Look to Christ, the fountain of mercy, and rise to walk in newness of life.